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"This just shows our need for Jesus.  People are grappling onto anything to feel valuable, noticed, important.  It's so dark without Him and sometimes it just hits you right between the eyes.  This life is no joke.  It does not last long.  People need Jesus.  We need Jesus.  He is good, Kelsey! Don't you forget it.  It's these moments you need to come to Him and ask for His peace. He probably won't tell you the 'why', but He will be near to you and remind you He is good." 

After yesterday's tragedy-and yes, indeed it was a tragedy-I've been really hit with just how dark this world is.  My sweet and wise friend Madi sent me the above text.  Her words were such a comfort to me in a time where I felt like I was being swallowed whole in the evils of this world.  

Andrew Boldt was someone's child, someone's family, a friend, a student, a human being.  And now air no longer fills his lungs and he is gone.  This world is so full of evil to take  a life like that.  It's so dark and I feel like I'm drowning in the absence of Love.  And now that I realize these evils of the world what am I supposed to do?  Isn't it my responsibility as a disciple of God to show His love? 

But I don't know what that looks like--for today, for tomorrow, for every day in the future.  What is it that God is trying to teach me-us- in these tragedies, in these movies I'm watching (specifically, Blood Brothers), in these books/articles I'm reading, in these personal tragedies we are facing.  All that I do know, and what I'm currently clinging to, is that I need God.  So desperately. 

While I struggle with being hit right between the eyes of the reality of this earth, I pray that God's presence warms my heart again.  I pray that I can find peace in His arms, that I find hope in the future, and that I find comfort in His promises.  

I'm so proud to go to a school that pulled together as quickly we did.  While I'm sad that it had to be under such a terrible circumstance, I was warmed last night standing admits thousands of my classmates all standing for Andrew.  We have a powerful God who has a plan for everything.  And I trust that plan of His.  

While I continue to pray for Andrew's family and those who were effected by the shooting, I also am reminded to pray for Cody and his family.  Him and his family have also been effected by this and need God's love, too.  No matter how evil our actions may be, God's love for us never diminishes or fades.  And what a beautiful thing that is.